Whereas, educators in California know the struggle our undocumented families face in one of the richest states, in the richest country in the world; and 

Whereas, our union, along with the AFT, has advocated for legal and worker rights and protections for undocumented people, including supporting the demand to shut down inhumane detention centers, an end to the ICE raids, and comprehensive immigration reform; and

Whereas, we as educators, as union members, and as social justice advocates, will not sit idly by and watch the authorities ignore the precious lives of our undocumented families; and  

Whereas, many locals in our union have been working in close collaboration within coalitions to build strong community/labor partnerships and demand that workers and families be a priority during this crisis; and

Whereas, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocated a stimulus packet of $2 trillion to address the current public health emergency that supports local communities, and the economy; and

Whereas, the United States’ inhumane immigration policies exclude many immigrants from access to benefits from CARES Act; and

Whereas, the CARES Act, a $2 trillion stimulus package passed by Congress to address the current public health emergency, support local communities, and the economy has excluded undocumented families to access any worker relief benefits; and

Whereas, the CARES Act will provide a one-time $1,200 check for individuals making up to $75,000 per year, and $2,400 for couples earning less than $150,000. Payments are scaled down for individuals earning between $75,000 and $99,000, and couples earning between $150,000 and $198,000, and payments are phased out altogether for those above the income thresholds. It also provides an additional $500 per child; and 

Whereas, members of United Educators of San Francisco launched a “Pledge Your Stimulus Check” Campaign to request that members and the broader public pledge all or part of their stimulus check while making a suggestion to give a voluntary donation to benefit undocumented families;

Therefore, be it resolved that the CFT: A Union of Professionals supports the “Pledge Your Stimulus Check!” Campaign requesting members to make a voluntary donation of all or any portion of their stimulus check; and 

Let it be resolved, that CFT will promote the campaign in its work among city and state representatives, as well as with our community partners; and

Finally, let it be resolved that CFT submit a resolution to the AFT Convention 2020 to adopt the “Pledge Your Stimulus Check!” Campaign.
 

• Passed by CFT State Council on May 2, 2020
• Submitted by United Educators of San Francisco, AFT Local 61